Note: A little slightly odd thing to note is that you need to save each section before proceeding.

Now just copy the event link at the top right of screen and distribute it along with event schedule.

If someone tries to join the broadcast before the schedule time, they will see the below: (ATM there doesn’t seem to be a way to change the “Not Started” curtain.)

Now when the presenter/producer is ready to broadcast, he should click on the meeting join URL (same one as everyone uses to join the broadcast) with a user that he created the broadcast meeting with.

NOTE: I was having problems that it wanted to sign with an unrelated user, so deleting cookies in IE took care of the problem and it would ask for Office365 login

Note, the new protocol handler, Skypecast15.

Now unmute the audio, start video (or share something) and make that panel Active by right clicking and select “Make Active for Video Broadcasting”

Now you can “Start Broadcast”. Note that it will take about 30 seconds till those watching the broadcast will start seeing it.

Also, you can only “Start” and “Stop” a broadcast ONE time, so there is no turning back after you are Start. Skype4B will remind you of this important fact:

Now it’s going. We added a PowerPoint which adds some more controls to the Producer’s meeting panel.

Now any viewers (attendees that are not a part of the Event Team) that have clicked on the Join URL will see the broadcast. They have the option to rewind, pause or jump to Live.

NOTE: Joining with IE or Chrome on PC worked just fine. I joined with an Android phone with no problem as well.

Those viewing will want to be aware that the audio will play on PC speaker device, not the Skype for Business client preferred device. This is much like Lync PowerPoint video played in the past. (click here)

Playing Videos Inside PowerPoint in Broadcast Meetings

I have written a detailed article on how to play videos (and corresponding audio) inside a stnadard Skype for Business meeting. (see the article here) In my tests with Skype for Business Broadcast Meetings when the PowerPoint page with the video is shown to, it displays “Error: Unsupported video type or invalid file path” to broadcast viewers in the lower left of where the video would be.

My experience setting up Cloud PBX with PSTN Calling” and “Dial in Conferencing” was quite smooth and just took several minutes to provision and setup. Very simple, streamline process. Here are the steps to setup the Preview.

Cloud PBX with PSTN Calling Setup

Type in Preview activation code URL and you see below. Click “Add it to my account”

Click “try now” (now it took several minutes/~3minutes till “Skype Voice” available in Office365 admin)

Assign a “Skype for Business Domestic and International calling” License to a user.

Now let’s get a number for our Office365 Skype for Business User

Select State/City

Now assign the phone number to a user

select phone number

Done and sure enough, our Skype for Business client now has the “Phone” tab and we can make and receive phone calls.

Some of my notes on Skype for Business Cloud PBX (Preview, final version may change)

Caller ID that shows up for remote party is the phone number

Local numbers not normalized to local area codes (you need to type area code)

No “Quality Check Test Call” button/option

No DID Porting option at this time

Setting up “Skype for Business Domestic and International calling” aka “Skype for Business Cloud PBX” was very simple and quick (5 minutes!) to setup. Considering this includes provisioning PSTN DID’s this is very smooth and quick process.

Dialin PSTN Setup

Add a new user and assign it the “Skype for Business Advanced Meeting Add-on”

Reports Related to Cloud PBX or Dialin Conferencing

Conclusion

I’m very impressed with my initial experience setting up Office 365 “Cloud PBX with PSTN Calling” and “Dail in Conferencing”. Fast and straightforward that easily fits into the generalist IT expertise level. Obviously this is “the first round” and Preview so the Cloud PBX feature list is short, but more is coming in the area of Voice features.

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About Me

Matthew M. Landis has various industry certifications: Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, Microsoft Certified Database Administrator, Microsoft Office Certified Expert, Microsoft Certified Dynamics, Network+ and A+.
In 1995 Matt started Landis Computer which has been providing IT services to small businesses for 14 years and is now a 11 person Microsoft Gold Certified Partner. Matt has over 14 years of field experience implementing Windows Server, Microsoft & Dynamics ERP solutions in small business environments.
Matt is very active in the Windows based IP PBX community: He was a 3CX Valued Professional from 2008-2010 and has co-authored a book on Windows communication software "3CX IP PBX Tutorial". He is pbxnsip Certified, he has contributed thousands of posts to the 3CX community forum and he writes the monthly Windows PBX Report e-newsletter for VARS and administrators. His company, Landis Computer, was the first company in the USA to be designated a 3CX Premium Partner.
When not working and when a chance affords Matt likes to travel internationally with his wife Rosalyn and is very involved in his church.